Background on voluntary assisted dying

Voluntary assisted dying laws have passed in all six Australian states and in the ACT. Find out about the law in your state here. 

Medical professionals are central to the operation of voluntary assisted dying in Australia. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists all have important roles to play.

So far, a relatively small number of doctors have completed the mandatory training to become VAD practitioners - but for those that have, it has been overwhelmingly positive, despite the additional work.

What is required of VAD practitioners?

There are four main roles for healthcare professionals, consistent across all states:

1. Coordinating practitioner (doctors only. Experienced nurse practitioners are permitted to fulfill this role in the ACT)
   This is the first practitioner who assesses eligibility and supports their patient through the entire process, including receiving the final request for VAD and, in some cases, administering the medication.
2. Consulting practitioner (doctors only. Experienced nurse practitioners are permitted to fulfill this role in the ACT)
   This is the second practitioner who, independent from the first, also assesses the patient’s eligibility. Every request for VAD must be approved by two practitioners.
3. Administering practitioner
   This is the person who gives the life-ending medication intravenously if the patient is not able to take it themselves (or does not want to, an option in WA, QLD, NSW, Tasmania and ACT). It can be the coordinating practitioner, or in some states, a nurse practitioner or registered nurse.
4. Pharmacist
   A small number of pharmacists dispense, deliver and educate about the VAD medications through centralised Pharmacy Services in each state. Hear more about becoming involved in the process from Nikki, a VAD pharmacist in Western Australia.

How do I become a VAD practitioner?

VAD practitioners need to have minimum qualifications and experience. Each state law also requires practitioners to do mandatory training before they can accept a request from a patient to assess their eligibility for VAD.

Visit your state’s health department website to find out more: 

Can I opt out?

Yes, nobody has to become a VAD practitioner. Australia’s laws protect the right of health professionals to opt out altogether (known as conscientious objection).

Others may decide they are OK to provide general information, but not play any larger role in VAD – that’s fine too.

Regardless of the level of involvement, VAD is challenging. But many who do step forward say it is one of the most fulfilling things they have done in medicine.

What do doctors say about voluntary assisted dying?

It was just a privilege. I learned a lot from that patient about courage, about respect.
– Dr Phillip Parente, medical oncologist and VAD practitioner, Melbourne

I've gotten a lot out of it. And I know the patients and the families have because they've told me so. There's no doubt in my mind, it's a very bonding experience.
– Dr Andrea Bendrups, general physician, Royal Melbourne Hospital